HEALTH

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration's director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Janet Woodcock, on Thursday identified three tools the agency wanted to use in potentially increasing access to appropriate medicines in her opening remarks at the FDA Rx-to-OTC Switch Hearing held here.

WASHINGTON — When it comes to healthy habits, dietary supplement users appear to make healthier lifestyle choices overall than nonusers, according to a recent study by the Council for Responsible Nutrition released Thursday.

According to the most recent CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, supplement users engage in the following healthy habits in higher percentages than do those who don’t take vitamins, minerals and other supplements:

• “I try to eat a balanced diet.” Supplement users, 84%; nonsupplement users, 76%;

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Changes to the House of Representatives' budget for the upcoming fiscal year could put an American Diabetes Association movement at risk, the ADA said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday morning presented exactly how technology might improve appropriate patient self-selection before a panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration to explore expanding the prescripton-to-over-the-counter switch paradigm by incorporating technology and/or pharmacy participation in the application process.

JESSUP, Md. — TheraPearl on Wednesday named Daniel Baumwald president and Thomas Keeney VP sales.

Baumwald has been with the company since its inception in 2009, coming from Glaceau Vitaminwater/Coca-Cola where he was national account manager. Baumwald will assume management of the TheraPearl team, along with the company’s overall direction as it continues to expand. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens will provide prevention and screening services to adults in underserved communities in a program it is sponsoring with AARP, the company said Thursday.

WASHINGTON — People with diabetes are at increased risk of hearing loss, which has prompted two groups to encourage those living with the disease to have their hearing checked.

The American Diabetes Association and the Better Hearing Institute are launching the effort as part of the ADA's Diabetes Alert Day, on Tuesday, which also includes an effort to encourage people to check if they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

EL MONTE, Calif. — Optics Lab has kicked off a new consumer campaign in support of its OcuFresh Eye Wash product, the company announced Tuesday.

The product, which helps flush out such eye irritants as pollen, dust and smoke, will be featured across the "Mommy Blog" circuit and in such print publications as Prevention, Redbook and Allergies Today.

The company also is circulating a 15-second spot featured on YouTube here.